Red Maple Takeover

Podcast

Red Maple Takeover

Transcript

Why this fall the forests will be in the red. I'm Bob Hirshon and this is Science Update.

As the trees soon start taking on their bright fall colors, scientists say you'll be seeing more red than ever before. That's because there's been a hostile takeover in the forests of the eastern United States. The Red Maple now rules.

Marc Abrams, a professor of forest physiology at Penn State, says the Red Maple has surged primarily because it's so easygoing.

Abrams:
"Red maple seems to be highly adaptable to many many different types of sites and ecological conditions."

Dr. Abrams says that the Red Maple's thin bark and shallow roots were no defense against the periodic forest fires. But now fires are rapidly suppressed and put out. And while that's good for the Red Maple, it's bad for other trees.

Abrams:
"Oak, hickory, chestnut, and pine are actually quite well-adapted to fire. Mainly through having relatively thick bark."

Dr. Abrams says those tree's nutritious nuts and thick, insect-laiden bark made them an important food source. But now, Red Maples are choking out these other species. And Dr. Abrams worries that this lack of diversity puts the forests at risk. He says the best strategy would be to start burning the forests, bit by bit, in order to save them.

For the American Association for the Advancement of Science, I’m Bob Hirshon.